Set "Date Taken" As Default Sort Order

Running MS Windows 8.1 Pro, I prefer to have folders containing camera pictures to sort by "Date taken".  When I created new folders for my pictures, I had to manually add the column and sort option.  While this was easy, it cried out for automation.

How to set "Date taken" as default sort order for new picture folders in MS Windows 8:

1. Open File Explorer
2. On the left side, look for Desktop and Libraries.  Go to the Libraries folder.
3. Go the the Pictures folder.  File explorer title bar should now show: Libraries\Pictures
4. Right click and set your column and sorting preferences.




5. Other folders inside this folder will inherit the same preferences. 

Note: If you change the folder settings, those new settings will dynamically be applied to child folders.

Microsoft Windows Disk Encryption

As a backup and scratch space, I purchased a 3 terabyte external USB drive.  To try encryption, I considered using the Microsoft Windows 8 BitLocker drive encryption.  With Microsoft giving user information to the NSA, I am weary of placing trust in Microsoft.  Looking for alternatives, I tried TrueCrypt disk encryption.

Installing TrueCrypt on a Microsoft Windows 8 disk:

While not explicitly supported, download and install the package.
Read the beginner tutorial and run the program.

Which Display for Windows 8 Start Screen?

In Microsoft Windows 8, the "Start" screen can be moved from monitor 1 to monitor 2.

Press the Windows logo key to make the Start screen visible.
Press the Windows logo key +PgUp.  The Start screen will move to the second monitor.

Website Opt Outs

Tired of slow web page loading because of external includes? 

Opt out of social sharing buttons that clutter websites.  It will place an addthis.com opt out cookie.

Opt out of InviteMedia for DoubleClick.

Add Features to Windows 8

This post described upgrading Windows Vista to Windows 8.

After completing the form for the free Media Center upgrade, I applied the key.  The upgrade was quick, with a reboot.

Performance results:

For a limited time, get a free Windows Media Center to Windows 8 Pro upgrade.